Experimental Investigation of Air-cooled Turbine Blades in Turbojet Engine IX : Evaluation of the Durability of Noncritical Rotor Blades in Engine Operation

The durability of five different structural or cooling configurations or combination of both of air-cooled blades made of noncritical materials was investigated in a modified turbojet engine. The greater part of the investigation was conducted at an engine speed of 11,500 rpm, a turbine-inlet temperature of approximately 1670 degrees F, and a cooling-air to combustion gas flow ratio per blade of 0.05. The results of the investigation indicated that air-cooled blades made of noncritical metals can be operated for extended periods of time in engines at current inlet temperatures; however, before these blades are considered completely satisfactory for gas-turbine application, some means such as coatings is required to inhibit the oxidation of the blades.